Hi all,

I'm looking for a top-quality shop to handle a thorough restoration on my FD. Looking for someone to handle/manage all aspects - motor refresh, suspension/drivetrain, paint, custom interior, stereo, whatever else might be needed. I'm in NorCal but happy to look nationwide for the right shop.

Thanks!

 

Hi Shabadoo,

Any luck finding a place? I've been wanting to work on mine, but just can't find a time. Please keep us posted if you find someone/shop - mine needs some interior work and figuring...

p.s. I'm also in the SF neighbor as well.

Thanks.
Rick

 

Yes interested in this as well …Mazda itself is considering this program (as they do for the Miata) but it’s only in Japan….

 

I dont think you want a "restoration" as we normally use the term from what I have read of your posts.

You have a 5k mile FD that you track and street drive and would like a modified engine set-up that will last at least another 30k miles (so you plan to drive it).

A restoration would be to *restore* the vehicle to showroom specifications and condition.
Going from a fine 5k mile example to this would either mean replacing as many parts on the car with available new parts (lots) or dry ice blasting, vapor honing, detailing everything and replacing any part that shows wear that cannot be remedied.

OK, will you spend another $100-200k to restore it again in another 5k miles (or possibly 1 track day)?

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I think rather you want to become a patron of a tuner shop that has connections and can arrange detailing and other services as well as installing aftermarket parts.

This would be more of a $30-50k expenditure to get the car to the condition you want and then a service contract to cover the periodic mainenance and repairs.

Im not aware that tuner shops exist like this in the usa.

From what I have read most tuner shops will just take advantage of a customer looking for what you want. There just isnt any I know of with a reputation good enough they care to preserve it.

Hopefully members who have done what you want to do will chime in.

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If I am mistaken on what you want and you really do want to restore an FD RX-7, I suggest starting with a historically significant example as the restoration will cost far more than the base purchase of the car.

This could be an FD already famous from racing (like IMSA Supercar series) a tuner shop built car with media coverage or a significant factory variant such as the factory race homologation RX-7 SP that beat the factory porshes (911 GT3 RS) or a mundane Spirit R production car.

The good news is you can get historic plates in California for any FD and ease the emissions rules (just pass tailpipe emissions - no visual).